Phonographic record.



` EYNON.

Y PHoNoGRAPHlc RECORD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-11,1911.

Patented 0st. 191.5.-

2 SHEETS- l.

mllrllllllll T. EYNON.

PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD. APPLICATION FILED`IIov.11, 1911.

Patented (Ict. 26', MM5.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.' fig@ ZZH Fla it THOMAS EYNON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO RIBBON RECORD COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PI-IONOGRAPHIC RECORD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

patenten oet. ae, rais.

Application led November 11, 1911. Serial No. 659,745.

lan improved method of reproducing liexible vrecords from an initial plastic record; to

provide an improved method of obtaining a record blank; to provide an improved method 'of securing the matrix and record blank in position for reproducing the phonographic impression; to provide an improved method of reproducing -the phonographic impression of the matrix upon the record blank; to provide improved apparatus for making flexible records either in cylindrical or strip forms; to provide an improved form of record blank which is inexpensive, flexible, and adapted to be packed in compact form for shipment and storage; to provide an improved record having multiple impressions formed thereon in substantially parallel relation, each impression being the reproduction of individual vocal or instrumental parts adapted to be rendered in concert; and to provide an improved method of obtaining the simultaneous and harmonious reproduction of the several impressions.

The accompanying drawings illustrate diagrammatically the various steps of the process, also suitable mechanism for carrying out this invention and the resulting product.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for transferring the impression to the outer surface of a record blank. Fig. 2 illustrates an apparatus for transferring the impression to the interior surface ot' a record blank. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an electro-plated plastic record. Fig. 5 isa perspective view of the electro-,plate removed from the plastic record. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a mandrel upon which the paper record blank isl formed, -a blank beperspective view of the paper record. Fig. 8 1s a perspective view of a matrix record showing a record blank in position thereon, as made up from a strip of paper. Fig. 9 1s a fragmentary face view of the strip removed from the matrix after the impression has been taken. I

In .the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, as designed to carry out this invention, a member 1, preferably` in the form of a cylinder, has a cylindrical bore 2, which is adapted to receive the matrix record '3, the exterior diameter of the matrix being substantially equal to the diameter of the bore 2, so as to snugly fit therein and prevent the matrix from becoming distorted when pressure is exerted against it. The pneumatic means whereby pressure is obtained for reproducing the impression of the matrix record upon the record blank L comprises a flexible diaphragm in the form of a rubber cylinder 5, firmly secured .at its ends to disks 6 and 7 carried on the rod 8. The rod` 8 has a longitudinal bore 9 extending inward from one end and communicating with the interior of the rubber cylinder 5 by means of a plurality of transverse apertures 10. rlfhe outer end of the rod 8 isl provided with a pneumatic valve 11 of the usual construction, which vpermits the injection of air into the rubber casing 5, but prevents its escape unless manually operated. The cylinder 1 is provided with a cap 12 screwed on to one end, and a cap 18 bolted to the opposite end. Gaskets 14, preferably of rubber, are interposed between ghe caps 12 and 18 and the ends of the cylin- The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is adapted for use when the matrix record 3 has an impression formed on the exterior surface,-

Able material 22, such as a sheet of and the cylinder 1A then becomes the pneumatic chamber, and communication thereto is had by means of the aperture 17 controlled by the pneumatic valve 11A. In this construction, the caps 12A and 13A are provided with apertures 18 and 19, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained;

My improved process primarily consists in lforming a matrix record from the initial impression upon a plastic record, making a record blank, and reproducing the impression onthe matrix record upon the record blankby means of the apparatus'just described. In describing the various steps of my process, I will first describe such steps as they are to be performed when the records are to be made with the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, and then describe the steps that are taken when the records are to be reproduced with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. In either instance, the initial phonographic impression is made upon n the usual plastic cylinder 20. If the record 1s to have several separate and individual impressions formed.thereon to be simultaneously reproduced in concert, to constitute a harmonious whole, each instrumental or vocal part is separately and successively recorded upon the record in successive convolutions simultaneously during the rendition of all the parts in concert. For instance, in a vocal solo with piano accompaniment, the solo is recorded independently of the a'ccolmpaniment While the piano is accompanying the. singing asunder the usual conditions,

and then the solo and accompaniment are repeated while the piano accompaniment 1s reproduced upon the record blank independently of the solo, the impressions on the record being engraved adjacent and in parallel relation to the impression engraved for the solo. The record is then electro-plated with a metal deposit 21, preferably of copper.

If the electro-plate 21, which constitutes the matrix record 3, is to be used for reproducing records with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, theexterior surface is milled or filed so that its diameter is exactly equal to the diameter of the bore 2, after which the electro-plate 21 and cylinder 20 are separated. After the electro-plate 21 and the cylinder 20 have been separated,-the electro-plate or matrix record 3 is placed in the casing 1 in preparation for reproducing the phonographic impression thereon upon a record blank.

If a cylindrical record is to be made, the record blank comprises'a piece of dexipalmi whlch 1s formed/luto a cylinder. This 1s most easily done by wrapping the sheet of paper 22 about a mandrel or form 23, so that the exterior diameter of the paper cylinder will be substantially equal to the interior diameter of the matrix record 3. The

ends ofthe paper are slightly tapered so as to make as neat and substantially imperceptible a joint as possible where the two ends of the paper overlap. The outer surface of the paper cylinder is then coated with a plastic substance or composition, such as shellac, and allowed to dry. After the shellac has dried, the paper cylinder, which then constitutes the' record blank 4, is placed within the matrix record 3 and a reproduction of the impression on the matrix is made upon the record blank. If one coating of shellac is found to be insufficient, a second or third coat may be applied after each coat has become dried.

If the electro-plate 21 is to be used for reproducing records with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, after milling or filing to render it true, the electro-plate is removed from the plastic cylinder 20, which may'be readily done by slitting the electro-plate longitudinally. The electro-plate is then reversed and placed upon a cylinder 15 with the surface having the phonographic impression facing outwardly. The electroplate is suitably secured to the cylinder 15, as bymeans of glue, and the convolutions of the impression accurately matched at the juncture of the slit. The cylinder 15, together with the electro-plate 21, then constitutes the matrix record 4^. A record blank,

comprising a cylinder of flexible material,

such as paper, having its interior surface coated with shellac and having its interiordiameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the matrix 4^ may be used for having the phonographic impression reproduced thereon.

If a record is to be made in the form of a strip, ak strip of paper, substantially equal 1n width to the distance between the convolutions of the phonographic impressions on the matrix record 4 or 4^ is coated with a plastic substance, such as shellac, and allowed to dry. The strip is thenl placed upon the embossed face of the matrix record 4^ by securing one end thereto, and spirally winding the strip upon the matrix record so that the middle of each convolution of the strip is directly over the respective phonographic impression, and then securing the other end ofthe strip. The matrix record and its record blank are then placed in one or the other of the apparatuses shown for making the impression on the matrix upon the strip. After the impression has been taken, the strip is unfastened from the matrix vand the record will then be in the form of a long strip. It is also possible to have the paper record 4 made mto a strip by placing the record upon a-mandrel and putting themandrel in a lathe. The lathe may then be adjusted to give the propermovement to a cutting tool, sol as to travel along andcut the record between the convolutions or sets of convolutions of the phonographic impression, whereupon the record becomes a strip similar to that shown in lFig. 9.

After the apparatus, as shown in either of the Figs. 1 and 2, is assembled with the matrix record, record blank and pneumatic means all in position, air is forced into the pneumatic chamber through the controlling valve, thereby causing the rubber dial surface of the recordblank, it is desirable to apply heat thereto, which may be conveniently done by placing the apparatusin a heated oven or by immersing the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in hot water or by running the hot water through the cylinder 24, in the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, for which purpose the apertures 18 and 19 are provided in the ends 12A and 13A. The apparatus is then allowed to cool so that the shellacked surface again becomes hardened, whereupon the apparatus may be dismantled and the reproduced record removed.

'lhe product is a simple and inexpensive record, not readily destroyed accidentally, and one which may be packed in compact form either for shipment or storage. When one of these records is to be played, it is placed upon a suitable holder or reel capable of being connected with the phonograph, and the reproducing stylus is set to engage and trace the impression thereon. If the record bears multiple impressions, as hereinbefore explained, -a plurality of reproducing styluses are properly set to respectively engage and trace the separate impressions so that all the impresslons are simultaneously and -harmoniously reproduced.

No attempt has been made to show all possible modifications of this invention, and 1t will be understood that numerous details may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention, as dened by the following claims.

I claim 1. The process of reproducing flexible phonographic records which consists in forming a matrix record from an initial plastic record having a phonographic impression made thereon, separating said matrix and plastic record, placing a record blank upon said matrix record in the form of a spirally wound strip disposed substantially symmetrically over the phonographic impression along its length, the width of said strip being substantially equal to the distance between the convolutions of the phonographic impression, and applying iuid pressure to said record blank.`

2. The process of producing a flexible phonographic record having multiple impressions thereon, which consists in separately recording in a group of parallel spirals upon the same Vcylindrical record blank, a plurality of individual vocal or instrumental parts rendered in concert, making a matrix of said record, separating said matrix and record, placing a thin flexible record strip of long narrow shape against said matrix in symmetrical .alinement over said group of parallel spirals, applying pressure to cause the multiple spiral impressions on said matrix to be embossed symmetrically upon said record strip, and then separating said record strip and said matrix, thus providing a continuous integral Vstrip having all of said individual records embossed thereon in parallel lines extending lengthwise of said strip.

Signed at Chicago this 7th day of November 1911.

THOMAS EYNON.

Witnesses:

MARY H. BIXEL,

EDWIN PHELPS. 

